Senior Grants Officer

Company: East-West Center
Location: Honolulu
Posted on: February 14, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Salary: $100,513.73 The East-West Center (EWC) promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Centers 21-acre Honolulu campus, adjacent to the University of Hawaii at Mnoa, includes conference facilities, three residence halls, and an office building that houses research, program, and administrative activities. The Center also has an office in Washington, D.C., that provides accessibility to US, regional government stakeholders, and program partners with innovative training, analytical and dialogue exchange, and public diplomacy products to meet US policy priorities and expressed needs in the Indo-Pacific region. Our Development team is seeking an on-siteSenior Grants Officerfor a limited, one-year appointment (with possibility of extension). This position will support the East-West Centers top priorities by raising funds from grant making entities in government and private sectors and will develop and organize a comprehensive grants strategy that integrates government and private grants to maximize the Centers ability for optimal success. The incumbent will work collaboratively with EWC leadership and program staff to successfully coordinate and execute their grants strategy in support of the Centers missionand be involved in programmatic interactions with various internal and external constituencies, as appropriate. MAJOR DUTIES: Develop and manage a portfolio of government grant-making agencies that have grantmaking alignment with the mission, vision, and strategic direction of the EWC. Support the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships in developing and executing grants strategies for private grant-making organizations. Collaborate with EWC leadership and program staff to develop the Centers strategy regarding grants and other development opportunities, with a focus on identifying and developing grants opportunities that serve institution-wide or across programs. Serve as administrative and programmatic liaison with assigned grant-making organizations and coordinate and conduct negotiations with external funding agencies during proposal development. Conduct comprehensive research to identify relevant grant opportunities that fit with institutional needs and priorities. Provide advice, liaison and coordination for all Center programs in identifying opportunities for new initiatives and potential sources of grant funds and in developing short-form letters of interest and full proposals. Coordinate with Center leadership and program staff, including principal investigators, in preparing and processing proposals. This includes reviewing and editing proposals for accuracy with respect to programmatic, administrative, personnel, financial, budgetary, and contractual components. As needed, may include writing portions of proposals. Review and interpret requests for proposals, funding guidelines and funding opportunities to determine fit and organize applications for funding. Serve as Institutional Review Board (IRB) administrator, which includes working with the Research Director in coordinating review of funding proposals by Committee on the Protection of Human Subjects. Achieve annual performance goals. Remains current with best practices in grants management; funding trends, policies, and emerging opportunities in grants landscape. This list of major duties is not exhaustive and may be supplemented on an occasional basis in accordance with the requirements of the job. SUPERVISION:The incumbent works under general supervision of the Chief Development Officer, who provides overall objectives, priorities, and funding. Employee has a wide latitude to explore and develop opportunities for external funding and keeps supervisor informed of significant developments. Work is reviewed in terms of overall effectiveness in meeting objectives set forth. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Education & Experience A bachelors degree in business administration, education, or a related field; and at least five (5) years of professional work experience in grant management or other related role(s) that demonstrate the ability to successfully perform the duties of the position. Work experience should demonstrate an appropriate knowledge or background in writing grant proposal and reports to both government and private funding sources, researching and identifying funding sources and requirements, interpreting requests for proposals, reporting cycles, and funding guidelines; and developing and monitoring budgets. Communication Possesses strong written and verbal English communication skills and can effectively speak and interact with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities in person, on the phone, and in digital environments. Able to clearly convey ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences. Demonstrated Ability Able to plan, organize, prioritize, and coordinate work involving a wide variety of tasks; to take initiative and work independently and cooperatively in following through on assignments; to make arithmetic computations and record figures accurately; to work under the pressure of deadlines and competing demands; to acquire and maintain knowledge of and appropriately apply established or mandated policies, guidelines, and procedures; to establish and maintain accurate hard and electronic files and records; to appropriately handle confidential information; to work effectively and deal pleasantly and helpfully with people of diverse cultural backgrounds; to adapt to changes and exercise initiative and good judgment in dealing with a variety of situations; to convey detailed information clearly and concisely both one on one and to groups; to assume responsibility for whole areas of work and to effectively gather information and materials from a variety of sources to meet requirements. Knowledge- Of general office practices, procedures, and equipment use; of correct English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word usage; of effective grant research and grant writing; or grant and other external funding sources; of effective project management best practices and techniques; of post-award compliance best practices; and of public/private institutional policies and procedures related to grant management. Proficiency with Microsoft program tools (such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Professional and other equivalent applications) and virtual meeting platforms (e.g. Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams). SALARY AND BENEFITS OF WORKING AT THE EAST-WEST CENTER You will have the opportunity to join an organization that values its employees and provides a supportive work environment. Here are some of the benefits you can expect: Competitive Salary and Benefits The annual salary for this position starts at $100,513.73 per year with an attractive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement savings with a very generous company match, and paid time off. Career Growth Opportunities We believe in investing in our employees and providing opportunities for career growth and development. You will have the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities and advance your career within our organization. Supportive Work Environment We believe in fostering a supportive work environment where our employees feel valued and appreciated. We encourage open communication and collaboration and provide the tools and resources our employees need to succeed. HOW TO APPLY:If you're interested in applying for the role, submit an electronic application at APPLY FOR THIS JOB NOW so that you can be immediately considered. Here are some tips to help you prepare you for our job application process: Tailor Your Resume and Write a Compelling Cover Letter Make sure that your resume is tailored to the specific requirements of the job. Highlight your relevant experience and skills and provide examples of how you have demonstrated leadership in your previous roles. Your cover letter should be tailored to the job and provide a clear and concise summary of your qualifications and experience. Explain why you are interested in the role and how you can contribute to our team. Our initial assessment will be based on the information you submit in your application. Be Prepared for the Interview If you are invited for an interview, make sure that you are well prepared. Research our company and its role and be prepared to answer questions about your experience and qualifications. Provide Three Professional References (with appropriate contact information) in your Application Ensure that your references can attest to your skills, work ethic, and integrity. What these people reveal about you both in terms of what they do and dont say can make a difference in whether youll be hired. So, its extremely important that you choose wisely when deciding who to use as a reference. The East-West Center adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education. The Center does not discriminate in its admissions practices, in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of age, sex, gender, disability and/or handicap, race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyles), creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, ancestry, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, veteran status, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, status as a domestic violence victim, arrest status, or membership in any other class protected by state or federal laws, now or in the future, in any phase of its admissions, financial aid, educational, or in any aspect of its employment practices.

Keywords: East-West Center, Honolulu , Senior Grants Officer, Administration, Clerical , Honolulu, Hawaii